This holiday was like any other in my family...gifts, fellowship & FOOD!!! This year, we hosted both sides of my family for Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner, and that's why our kitchen is filled with leftovers and desserts. My stomach hurts just THINKING about all the food that's in there...

It has been kind of different from other years for me. I've always enjoyed time with family, but I guess now that I'm older and see my aunts and uncles getting older, I find myself drawn to being around more often. Events in my life are slowly but surely transitioning me into that next phase of adulthood. Time definitely does fly...

It seems that the older I get, the harder it is for me to get in the Christmas spirit. My birthday is on Sunday, and I'm not even excited about THAT either. Something's not right...

Oh well, as far as my life is concerned, I'm making a lot of changes to some of the things I do. I see no reason to wait until Jan. 1 to get things right. I like to use my New Year's resolutions for big goals, not stuff I should've been doing already.

More on that later though. For the next little while, I'll be educating the masses on current events via Twitter.

This break from academia has been everything but calm. Just holding on to hope that it's always the hardest before things change for the better. 

There are a few positives to  everything going on. I know who my real friends are, not just by their words, but by their actions. I've also become a better Stephen...I've learned quite a lot about myself and realize there's so much more I can accomplish and a lot of untapped potential that I plan to live up to in the immediate future.  This may be something that is more suited for my Motivators blog, but I really do believe a positive attitude makes all the difference when dealing with less than ideal situations.

James 1:2-7 reminds us to count it all joy when trials come. This is when our faith can show its true colors. It goes on to tell us that if we lack direction, ask God for wisdom, and He will provide it. However, when bringing our problems to Him, we must go in FAITH, not wavering, for a person with wavering faith shouldn't think he would receive anything from the Lord.

Makes me think of the saying...."If you pray, why worry? If you worry, why pray?" So true...

Exams are over, and now I can finally BREATHE!!! Much needed celebration and relaxation are in order for the next few weeks...

Finally, snowfall has arrived! It feels like ages since I've last seen it snow around here. However, I won't be getting out to play...4 exams await next week, so you know what that means: STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!  I'm happy with my preparation for these exams so far, so I'm pretty confident that I'll do a great job.

When December rolls around, I start to look forward into the next year. How can I be a better Stephen, you know? Don't get me wrong, December has its own big events (Christmas, my birthday *gifts & donations accepted*), but being the person I am, I'm always seeking to get a head start on the next phases of life.

Have any of you already started formulating lists of New Year's Resolutions? Anybody have any particular theme or motto in mind for 2010? If so, what are they? I'd like to know.

Be blessed, everyone!